Discarded propelling cage sabot

ABSTRACT

A discarded propelling cage sabot for a sub-caliber projectile is provided. The sabot includes a plurality of propelling cage sabot sections arranged side-by-side in a circumferential direction and separated by separating joints, each of the propelling cage sabot sections having a pressure flange having a groove-shaped recess, and a frustum-shaped propelling cage sabot region which is positioned rearward in the direction of flight relative to the pressure flange. The sabot also includes a plurality of sealing band segments that are arranged side-by-side in the circumferential direction and are separated by separating joints, each of the sealing band segments corresponding to one of the propelling cage sabot sections.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority of German Patent Applications DE 103 20 194.7 filed May 7, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a discarded sabot for a sub-caliber projectile. The sabot comprises several propelling cage sabot sections that are arranged side-by-side in a circumferential direction and separated by joints. The sabot further comprises a pressure flange that is followed on the tail end by a frustum-shaped propelling cage sabot region.

Propelling cage sabots of this type are known, for example, from references EP 0 703 428 B1 or DE 199 29 915 A1 and are primarily used for large-caliber ammunition, in particular, those fired from tanks. The known propelling cage sabots generally are provided with a continuous sealing band of plastic around the outer circumference of the pressure flange which is either sprayed onto the pressure flange or is pressed as a complete component into a groove-shaped recess of the pressure flange.

Known propelling cage sabots, among other things, have the disadvantage of being relatively heavy because the sealing band is supported nearly full caliber by the pressure flange of the propelling cage sabot. In addition, the sealing bands of known propelling cage sabots are relatively short. As a result, long and deep erosion damage in the weapon barrel cannot be compensated for with these known bands. Finally, the known sealing bands must be provided with additional milled slots (predetermined breaking points) to aid the separation of the propelling cage sabot sections after the projectile has left the weapon barrel.

FIG. 1 of reference DE 38 43 566 C1 furthermore shows that a ring element can be used as a sealing band, which has a detent that projects on the front toward the inside and engages in a corresponding groove-shaped recess in the pressure flange. On the tail end, this detent is followed by a frustum-shaped inside surface by means of which the sealing band supports itself on the frustum-shaped propelling cage sabot region. This sealing band projects at the tail end over the pressure flange. However, the reference does not disclose further information concerning the purpose of this sealing band design.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The applicant has determined that a sealing band as shown in reference DE 38 43 566 C1 can be considerably wider for use than is the case for standard propelling cage sabots where the sealing band rests on the pressure flange, thus making it easy to increase the sealing length of the sealing band. In addition, the weight of the propelling cage sabot, which generally is made from aluminum, can be decreased considerably by replacing parts of the propelling cage sabot with the more light-weight sealing band of plastic. However, it has turned out that when using relatively massive sealing bands of this type, a trouble-free separation of the sealing bands, and thus also the propelling cage sabot sections, is no longer possible, even if predetermined breaking points are provided. As a result, the respective projectiles have a relatively poor strike accuracy.

It is an object of the invention to provide a propelling cage sabot of the aforementioned type, for which the separation of the propelling cage sabot sections from the projectile is not, or not noticeably, hindered by the sealing band.

The invention is primarily based on the idea of the sealing band having several sealing band segments, arranged side-by-side in a circumferential direction and separated by joints. One sealing band segment is assigned to a propelling cage sabot section and is connected to it in a form-locking and/or force-locking manner.

The sealing band therefore is no longer sprayed as a complete component onto the propelling cage sabot, in the standard manner, or pressed as a complete component onto the pressure flange of the propelling cage sabot. Rather, each individual propelling cage sabot section is connected to a separate sealing band segment. The sealing band segment can be connected to the corresponding propelling cage sabot section, for example by gluing it on, welding it on, with the aid of a form-locking connection (e.g. a dovetailed connection) or a force-locking connection (e.g. an axial press fit).

In particular embodiments of the invention, the propelling cage sabot is held together only by the vulcanizing layer arranged on the tail end of the propelling cage sabot and by the base lid, provided it exists. The vulcanizing layer additionally causes an initial seal before the projectile is pushed into the caliber region of the respective weapon barrel during firing.

It has proven advantageous if the tail region of the sealing band is provided with a recess that is open at the tail end, so as to form a first sealing lip that fits against the propelling cage sabot, as well as a second sealing lip that points toward the outside. As a result, the propelling cage sabot weight is additionally reduced. On the other hand, the propellant charge gases push the second sealing lip against the inside wall of the weapon barrel during firing, thus resulting in an improved seal against propellant gases that would otherwise flow past the propelling cage sabot on the side. This sealing movement of the second sealing lip can be further supported by a bending groove that is arranged on the outside of the second sealing lip, at the level of the recess bottom.

Particular embodiments of the invention provide a discarded propelling cage sabot for a sub-caliber projectile. The sabot includes a plurality of propelling cage sabot sections arranged side-by-side in a circumferential direction and separated by separating joints, each of the propelling cage sabot sections having a pressure flange having a groove-shaped recess, and a frustum-shaped propelling cage sabot region which is positioned rearward in the direction of flight relative to the pressure flange. The sabot also includes a plurality of sealing band segments that are arranged side-by-side in the circumferential direction and are separated by separating joints, each of the sealing band segments corresponding to one of the propelling cage sabot sections and being connected form-locking and/or force-locking to that propelling cage sabot section. The plurality of sealing band segments form a sealing band of plastic material attached to the outer circumference of the pressure flange, the sealing band being a ring element with a detent, which projects inwardly in a radial direction of the sabot and engages the groove-shaped recess of the pressure flange, and a frustum-shaped inside surface by which the sealing band supports itself on the frustum-shaped propelling cage sabot region. The sabot also includes a vulcanizing layer provided at a tail region of the sealing band that holds together the sealing band segments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages and details of the invention follow from the exemplary embodiments and are explained in the following with the aid of the Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side view, including a partial sectional view, of a projectile provided with a discarded propelling cage sabot according to the invention having three sections, which is provided with a sealing band having three separate segments on its pressure flange arranged on the tail end; and

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a preferred sealing band segment in according with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The number 1 in FIG. 1 refers to a sub-caliber projectile that can be fired from a smooth bore tank cannon. Essentially, it comprises a penetrator 2 with guide fins 3 arranged on the tail end and a propelling cage sabot 4 that encloses the penetrator 2 and is provided on the tail end with a base lid 5 for connecting the projectile 1 to a cartridge case that is not shown herein.

The propelling cage sabot 4 of, for example, aluminum is provided with two guide flanges 6, 7 for guiding it inside the weapon barrel, wherein a frustum-shaped propelling cage sabot region 8 follows the guide flange 7, henceforth also called pressure flange, on the tail end of the cage. The propelling cage sabot 4 has three propelling cage sabot sections 9 that are arranged side-by-side in a circumferential direction around penetrator 2. The propelling cage sabot sections 9 are separated by separating joints 11 which extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis 10 of the projectile 1.

A plastic sealing band 12 is attached, for example glued, to the outer circumference of the pressure flange 7 and has three sealing band segments 14 which are arranged side-by-side in a circumferential direction around penetrator 2 and are separated by separating joints 13. Each of the sealing band segments 14 is attached to one of the three propelling cage sabot sections 9.

The three sealing band segments 14 together form a ring element with a detent 15 on its leading edge that projects inward and engages in a corresponding groove-shaped recess 16 of the pressure flange 7. The sealing bands also have a frustum-shaped inside surface 17, which follows the detent 15 at the tail end, by which the sealing band 12 supports itself on the frustum-shaped propelling cage sabot region 8.

The tail region of the propelling cage sabot 4 as well as the sealing band 12 is provided with a vulcanizing layer 18 which holds together the propelling cage sabot sections 9 and the sealing band segments 14.

FIG. 2 shows that the tail end of the sealing band segment 14′ is provided with a recess 19, so that two sealing lips 20, 21 are formed. First sealing lip 20 fits itself against the frustum-shaped propelling cage sabot region 8 and a second, outward pointing sealing lip 21 that can deform to form a seal against the weapon barrel when subjected to pressure. To aid the outward movement of the second sealing lip 21, it has proven advantageous if an additional bending groove 22 is arranged on the outside of the second sealing lip 21, at, for example, the bottom 23 level of recess 19.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments. The sealing band segments 14, 14′ can also be welded instead of glued to the associated propelling cage sabot section 9. However, the detent 15 on the respective sealing band segment 14, 14′ and the groove-shaped recess 16 in the associated propelling cage sabot section 9 can also be designed to form a dovetailed connection, or can be designed such that a force-locking press fit is created with the detent 15 and the groove-shaped recess 16. Also, although the example sabot shown has three segments, more than three segments can be used.

It will be apparent, based on this disclosure, to one of ordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. 

1. A discarded propelling cage sabot for a sub-caliber projectile, comprising: a plurality of propelling cage sabot sections arranged side-by-side in a circumferential direction and separated by separating joints, each of the propelling cage sabot sections having a pressure flange having a groove-shaped recess, and a frustum-shaped propelling cage sabot region which is positioned rearward in the direction of flight relative to the pressure flange; a plurality of sealing band segments that are arranged side-by-side in the circumferential direction and are separated by separating joints, each of the sealing band segments corresponding to one of the propelling cage sabot sections and being connected form-locking and/or force-locking to that propelling cage sabot section, the plurality of sealing band segments forming a sealing band of plastic material attached to the outer circumference of the pressure flange, the sealing band being a ring element with a detent, which projects inwardly in a radial direction of the sabot and engages the groove-shaped recess of the pressure flange, and a frustum-shaped inside surface by which the sealing band supports itself on the frustum-shaped propelling cage sabot region; and a vulcanizing layer provided at a tail region of the sealing band that holds together the sealing band segments.
 2. The discarded propelling cage sabot according to claim 1, wherein the tail region of the sealing band is provided with a recess that is open on the tail end, such that a first sealing lip, which fits flush against the propelling cage sabot, and a second, outward pointing sealing lip are formed.
 3. The discarded propelling cage sabot according to claim 2, wherein a bending groove is arranged on the outside of the second sealing lip.
 4. The sabot according to claim 3, wherein the bending groove is located at a position along an axial direction of the sabot that is the same as a position along the axial direction at which a forward most portion of the recess in the tail region of the sealing band is located.
 5. The discarded propelling cage sabot according to claim 1, wherein each sealing band segment is connected by one of gluing or welding it the corresponding propelling cage sabot section.
 6. The discarded propelling cage sabot according to claim 2, wherein each sealing band segment is connected by one of gluing or welding it the corresponding propelling cage sabot section.
 7. The discarded propelling cage sabot according to claim 3, wherein each sealing band segment is connected by one of gluing or welding it the corresponding propelling cage sabot section.
 8. The discarded propelling cage sabot according to claim 1, wherein the detent on each sealing band segment and the groove-shaped recess of the corresponding propelling cage sabot section form a dovetailed, form-locking connection.
 9. The discarded propelling cage sabot according to claim 2, wherein the detent on each sealing band segment and the groove-shaped recess of the corresponding propelling cage sabot section form a dovetailed, form-locking connection.
 10. The discarded propelling cage sabot according to claim 3, wherein the detent on each sealing band segment and the groove-shaped recess of the corresponding propelling cage sabot section form a dovetailed, form-locking connection.
 11. The discarded propelling cage sabot according to claim 1, wherein the detent on each sealing band segment and the groove-shaped recess of the corresponding propelling cage sabot section form a force-locking connection in the manner of a press fit.
 12. The discarded propelling cage sabot according to claim 2, wherein the detent on each sealing band segment and the groove-shaped recess of the corresponding propelling cage sabot section form a force-locking connection in the manner of a press fit.
 13. The discarded propelling cage sabot according to claim 3, wherein the detent on each sealing band segment and the groove-shaped recess of the corresponding propelling cage sabot section form a force-locking connection in the manner of a press fit. 